CERTIFICATION

Stepping Up Your Game as an LP Professional

Why did you decide to pursue your LPC certification?

Loss prevention is a field that changes rapidly from one day to the next. Depending on the industry, “loss prevention” can mean different things to different people. How loss is measured, what specifically is focused on, if safety is a component of those losses—all changes depending on company direction. Being loss prevention certified helps give a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding to all loss prevention applicable industries. It ensures everyone who has the same certification can speak the same language regardless of company focus. Also, it has become a staple for what people look for when networking or hiring at any company.

Was the LPC coursework what you expected?

The coursework absolutely blew me away. You learn a lot on the job over the years, and I pride myself on being able to retain and apply the things I have learned. The LPC took a fresh approach to these and stretched me mentally in several different ways. To say I learned a lot would be an understatement.

Talk about the process of going through the coursework and taking the exam.

After seeing how much coursework there was, I set out to plan how long I thought each chapter should take me including note taking. Once I had my timeline, I realized quickly I needed to be more flexible. Chapters where I was familiar with the materials went much faster than ones I was unfamiliar with. More specifically, the content around pharmaceuticals took me longer to absorb since I hadn’t been exposed to it previously.

After completing the content, I took the readiness test two to three times until I felt comfortable and then spent additional time looking over the “gopher notes” I had taken in each section. When I felt prepared, I scheduled the exam at the testing center. Despite my hard work, to be honest I was somewhat intimidated to take the test. But sure enough, between the content being easy to absorb and ample opportunities to study, I was able to pass the exam.

Looking at your own personal background and knowledge, what information in the course helped you the most?

Distribution and pharmacy are sections that helped me the most as I have had limited, if any, exposure to these areas with my career.

Interview with Lucas Moeller, LPC

Moeller has over fifteen years of loss prevention, safety, and operations support experience with Best Buy and his current employer, Lowe’s. During his career, Moeller has held several management positions including loss prevention agent/specialist/manager, area loss prevention manager, fire safety and operations specialist, and currently corporate safety manager.

Learning about these topics helped me become more well rounded in my loss prevention perspective. Should I ever take on a more focused role involving one of these objectives, I will be able to utilize what I learned through the LPC and apply it immediately.

What was the most eye-opening information that was part of the curriculum?

I think the section that was most enlightening was about taking a holistic approach to loss prevention versus working in a silo. The content did a good job of explaining the importance of this and how ultimately many groups are able to find common ground through profitability synergies.

What benefits have you seen from taking the course?

It means a lot to me to have a certification that has so much industry value. The truth of the matter is the loss prevention industry is a relatively small group of individuals, and earning your LPC makes you stand out from everyone else.

If you could offer one key takeaway to someone currently considering getting certified, what would it be?

You should always be willing to invest in your own development. As a loss prevention professional, you know we are always measuring the return on investment. There is no question that the LPC certification earns its ROI several times over in both content and industry clout.

How would you compare the foundation certifications to other educational courses that you’ve taken?

I have several other more niche industry certificates, and the LPC absolutely had the most value. This is both in content and format. I like that I was able to use the notes section to keep track of the most important “takeaways,” and I was able to pace myself on overall ingestion of content.

How has certification changed your expectations of loss prevention as a career, for yourself and for others?

The certification has raised everything to the next level for myself and others I know who have taken the course. Transitioning to new or unfamiliar positions within the loss prevention field is easier knowing that the foundational learning completed during the LPC will fill in any knowledge gaps.

Would you recommend certification to others?

The short answer is absolutely. Whether your goal is to continue at the retail level or build a loss prevention organizational program

from the ground up, the LPC certification can benefit you. I had the opportunity this year to get a lifetime membership and jumped at the prospect. Investing in yourself as well as industry accreditation is a “must,” especially when trying to differentiate from others.

Newly Certified

Following are individuals who recently earned their certifications.

Recent LPC Recipients

Matthew Barnett, LPC, Belk Department Stores Francis Benesz, Jr, LPC, Sears Holdings Ian Cherry, LPC, Marine Corps Community Services Ernesto Contreras, LPC Peter Danner, LPC, Signet Jewelers Miguel Falcon, III, LPC, Sears Holdings Brandan Hearne, LPC, Kmart Victor Jacinto, LPC, IKEA North America Services Andrew Jordan, LPC, Six Flags Over Georgia Polly Kelly, LPC, Lowe’s Josiah Leite, LPC, Sears Holdings Peter Lewandowski, LPC, DICK’S Sporting Goods William Macaulay, LPC, PETCO Animal Supplies Nicholas Martinson, LPC, Lowe’s Jason Merwin, LPC, Sears Holdings Charles Miller, LPC, DICK’S Sporting Goods Ryan Mogel, LPC, Ralph Lauren Kylene Nomakchteinsky, LPC, American Eagle Outfitters Michael Rock, LPC, Walmart Stores Brigette Ross, LPC, Vector Security Services Kyle Smith, LPC, Blain’s Farm & Fleet Randall Sneed, LPC, PETCO Animal Supplies Keith Snyder, LPC, Walmart Stores Sergio Tovar, LPC, TJX Mark Tow, LPC, PETCO Animal Supplies Christopher Weaver, LPC, Walmart Stores Derrik Welsh, LPC, The Home Depot Shayla Werner, LPC, Walmart Stores Andrew White, LPC, CFI, King Soopers

Recent LPQ Recipients

Michelle Baldwin, LPQ, Yum Brands! Christopher Buszka, LPQ, Bed Bath & Beyond Gregory Dolcich, LPQ, Security Resources Anton Dontain, LPQ, Goodwill Industries Sacramento Emily Ferguson, LPQ, John Lewis Partnership Pauline Garcia, LPQ, Vector Security Services Christopher Gipson, LPQ, 7-Eleven Rigoberto Hernandez, LPQ, O’Reilly Auto Parts Matthew Kell, LPQ, Goodwill Industries Sacramento Phun Lay, LPQ, John Lewis Partnership Katelyn Murphy, LPQ, Walmart Stores Ethan Oppenheim, LPQ, Best Buy Nicola Price, LPQ, ORIS Media Joseph Tuilua, LPQ, Onehunga Business Association Gregory Watts, LPQ, Caffe Nero Barbara Weaver, LPQ, Best Buy Kenneth Wu, LPQ, Mountain Equipment Co-Op Allison Wyatt, LPQ, Walmart Stores

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Professional development is key to a fulfilling career. Visit www.LossPreventionFoundation.org to find out more.

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